Byrdstown Annual 5K For St Jude Children’s Hospital A Go For Saturday

Byrdstown’s 12th Annual 5K for St. Jude hits the road Saturday morning.

Byrdstown Mayor Sam Gibson said he hopes the town can surpass the 100 participant mark. Last year, sone 97 participated, the largest number ever. Gibson said the 5K is a certified run or walk, with the option to participate in an uncertified 3K as well.

“We’re just looking forward to having another good one,” said Gibson. Last year we sent over $10,000 to St. Jude’s because of this 5K run, so we have really good support and we look forward to having another really good event here in a couple of weeks.”

Some 20 volunteers will help ensure the event goes smoothly. The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. across from Town Hall and the top male and female runners from each age group will receive an award. Same-day registration is $30.

“St. Jude’s is just a wonderful organization,”  Gibson said. “Whenever people can go there, don’t have any money, they can take their kid there and get treatment. And then all of the research they do that is primarily for kids, to me it’s just a wonderful organization.”

Gibson said that widespread familiarity with St. Jude’s makes it easy to find sponsors and donors.

“Whenever we’re out trying to rally to get sponsors for this, all you have to do is mention St. Jude’s and they don’t have a problem donating to it,” Gibson said.